Stories

After two decades as a Navy physical therapist, Jason McMillen knew it was time for a new chapter.

He'd moved nine times in 20 years and raised two sons who'd done almost as many moves as he had. He’d achieved nearly every professional goal he'd set for himself. Still, when the moment came to hang up his boots, he wanted to make sure he wasn't walking away from purpose. 

He found a new purpose at KBR, where he draws on his medical experience to identify, hire and mentor professionals who support the health and performance of service members around the world. From physical therapists and strength coaches to psychologists and social workers, he finds the next generation of experts dedicated to human performance – people who want to make a difference for those who serve. 

“The program I support has a tremendous focus on helping service members perform at their highest possible level,” said Jason, deputy program manager for KBR’s Human Performance & Research business. "And that matters – for their safety, their well-being and the longevity of their careers. When you’re talking about service members who sacrifice so much to meet our country’s demands, they deserve to be the healthiest versions of themselves when they retire or transition out of the military. I’m a force multiplier. Instead of helping one person at a time, I’m finding people who will go out and help hundreds more.”

Jason’s path to this point began in an unexpected way. He didn’t always plan to join the military or even become a physical therapist. After college, he thought he’d be a veterinarian, but life took him in another direction. A mentor introduced him to the Army-Baylor graduate program, a top-ranked physical therapy school, where he was selected as the only Navy student in his class. 

After completing the program, Jason commissioned and began a military career that took him across the country. Throughout his service, he moved frequently and worked under a variety of leaders, each leaving a lasting mark on his leadership style. 

“If I look back at every step in my career, I can point to a mentor who helped me get to the next one,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons I feel so strongly about giving back through mentorship at KBR. People invested in me – and now I get to invest in others.” 

When the time came to retire from active duty, family and timing guided Jason’s decision.

“My wife and I wanted our boys to go through high school in one place,” he said. “It just felt right. I loved what I did in the Navy, but I love what I’m doing now, too.”

When Jason learned about KBR’s work supporting military readiness and human performance, it clicked immediately. A conversation with a KBR leader confirmed it – this was a place where his experience could make a difference. 

“From day one, I felt like I fit into the culture here,” Jason said. “KBR doesn’t just talk about supporting veterans – they actually do it.” 

Now, Jason helps others discover the same sense of purpose he found.

“At my core, I care about people and their well-being. In the Navy, that meant helping service members recover and stay mission ready. At KBR, it means finding the people who can help them do that.”

His advice for other veterans considering the next step? Start early, invest in yourself and know what matters most.

“Ain’t nobody going to take care of you the way you take care of you,” he said. “Do the work to figure out where you fit, because when you land in the right place, like I did at KBR, it just feels right.”